Reflections

Reflections Arts Program Brings Art to Life Across the Nation

Four decades. Ten million students. And you!

REFLECTIONS: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE ARTS

“Within Reach”

That’s the theme for the 2017-2018 Reflections Art Program which has been bringing the arts to life for more than 10 million students since 1969. And California State PTA and its members, families and kids are on the forefront of this amazing program, which increases community awareness of the importance of arts in education.Reflections encourages students of all ages to:

Unleash creative talents and be inspired

Express themselves imaginatively in their artwork

Experience the fun and joy of making art

Tap into critical-thinking skills to create art inspired by the annual theme

Receive positive recognition for their original works of art.

PARTICIPATION IS EASY, EXCITING AND EMPOWERING
All students attending PTA schools sponsoring the program are invited to participate and submit original artwork in one of six areas:

Dance/choreography

Literature

Photography

Film production

Music composition

Visual arts.

Artworks are submitted first to school-level PTAs, where they are first recognized, celebrated and judged by five grade-level divisions, while a non-judged Special Artists division celebrates student artists with special needs. School PTAs then choose a selection of entries to be judged by local PTA units, which are then sent on to councils and then districts for consideration. The final artworks submitted to California State PTA by districts are then considered for Awards of Excellence or Awards of Merit. Award of Excellence entries then go on to represent California in the final National PTA judging round.

The opportunity to showcase their artwork at the California State PTA Convention

Prizes including an Award of Excellence medal, certificate and a $100 savings bond presented on stage at convention

An expense-paid trip for the award-winning student and one parent/guardian to convention.

State-level winners were recognized at the 2017 California State PTA Annual Convention. National-level Award of Excellence honorees are recognized at the National PTA Convention, plus their artworks are featured in Reflections’ popular traveling national exhibit. See the winners.

IMPORTANT REFLECTIONS DATES
Local due dates vary depending on where you live. Please reach out to your PTA council and district to inquire about your local due dates.

STUDENT FORMS

WE NEED THEMES FOR 2019-2020
But the art can’t start without an annual theme, and we need your help: Children and youth can submit a national theme to serve as the inspiration for Reflections artists and their original works. Students submitting the winning theme receive $100 and recognition at the National PTA Convention.

GRANTS FOR THE ARTS AVAILABLE
Building on the decades-long arts legacy of past Colorado State PTA President Mary Lou Anderson, who established the Reflections Art Program, National PTA awards grants of up to $1,000 so local PTAs can take arts education to the next level – especially for at-risk kids. Find out how your PTA can qualify.So let the Reflections Art Program – and the arts — be a part of your kids’ lives! For more information on participating or to get Reflections and other arts programs started or funded at your school, contact your local PTA and get connected with California PTA’s SMARTS – Parents for the Arts Network.